By Takemore Mazuruse
Efforts to revive one of the most loved sungura sound popularised by the late Fanuel “System” Tazvida have taken a new high following last Tuesday’s release of an album titled Zimbe Remoto.
The new album, which follows the reunification of the two Smoko voices — Isaac and King Tazvida — who had been performing separately until April 2019 is a commendable effort, which according to Chazezesa Challengers band manager Edmore Muchechetere demonstrates the new thinking in the camp.
“Isaac, a trained agricultural extension officer is the younger brother to System Tazvida and he was his backing vocalist until around 1995 when he left the band to serve in the agricultural sector having been trained under the government loan programme,” Muchechetere told Standard Style on the sidelines of the album launch in Harare on Tuesday.
“King is a nephew to the Tazvidas and having the two performing separately was causing confusion in the camp and in music circles generally. The unity we are seeing as demonstrated by this joint album marks the official return of a united Chazezesa Challengers and there is no going back.”
Muchechetere’s sentiments were echoed by Barbra Tazvida, System’s surviving spouse who said there was strength in unity. She said she was happy to see the empire that her husband built rising once again like the proverbial phoenix.
“I am really happy that 20 years on, my late husband’s music is still remembered and continues to command respect amongst locals,” Barbra said.
“This demonstrates that his death didn’t signal the end of his sound. I am grateful to my brother-in-law Isaac and nephew King for working together to revive this legacy.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Their unity means more support for Smoko music because fans won’t be divided and like the wise say, there is always strength in unity.”
Barbra, who was flanked by fellow late musician’s widows association members Eunice Dembo, the wife to Leonard Dembo and Ratidzai Tembo (Biggie Tembo’s wife) thanked Chazezesa Challengers benefactor Johannes Marisa for facilitating, not only the reunification of the band, but sponsoring the recording of the new album as well.
“Special thanks go to Dr Marisa of Westview Clinic for his invaluable support to this cause. There were so many challenges in the Chazezesa Challengers camp, but he managed to reunite the two bands that were performing separately,” she said.
“He is one person who has continued to support those in need and it is my hope that we have many such like-minded players to advance the revival of Smoko music.
“The band still has many needs among them a public address system and transport for performances.”
Barbra encouraged the two Smoko Music torchbearers to continue working on the quality and content of their music so that they satisfy the expectation from fans.
“Of late, there is an uncanny liking for lewd lyrics which do not add value, but it is my hope that the two learn from the experience of others and churn out quality music that is fit for the family environment,” she said.
Marisa, who is also the benefactor of Barura Express, said it was in his DNA to assist musicians, particularly the surviving members from late musicians’ families and he will continue doing his best.
“Much of my achievements to date were inspired by the music of these departed musicians. The likes of Leonard Dembo, BiggieTembo, Simon Chimbetu, John Chibadura as well as Oliver Mtukudzi to name a few and I feel indebted to play a part in maintaining their legacy,” Dr Marisa said.
“It is for that reason that I reached out to Chazezesa Challengers through Mai Tazvida. Then they were performing as two separate entities, but after we spoke to them, they saw reason and here we are today celebrating a quality production from the two talented musicians under a united Chazezesa Challengers banner.”
The six-track album carries beautiful tracks namely Vanosimudza Marombe, Isu VeSmoko, Mwana Wandaona, Ndipembedzewo, Kurambana hakuchaita and Rudo Ndikabuda.
Marisa also promised to give his all towards sustainability in the Chazezesa Challengers camp saying that the industry is generally struggling and most musicians can’t make ends meet.
“The environment is obviously challenging, but it is my hope that the support we give will help keep the Chazezesa Challengers music train on track. The potential is there and the new album demonstrates capacity and flare. We can only hope for the best from this moment on,” he said.
Tracks on the album possess that haunting yet hypnotising Smoko Music quality that would send many Zimbabweans into delirium in the 90s and Muchechetere said the composers put some thought into the writing of the songs.
Vanosimudza Marombe is a track dedicated to Marisa and it speaks to the Lord’s goodness as demonstrated by selfless givers like the medical practitioner. The song Mwana Wandaona is about a young man who is so smitten by the beauty of a girl, but can’t summon the courage to court her, hence asks for some love portion to woo her.
The track Ndipembedzewo is a woman’s cry to her husband so that he acknowledges her for the sacrifices and commitment she is showing in fending for him and the family. Isu VeSmoko on the other hand is rather braggadocios and demonstrates the sungura outfit’s capacity to entertain while speaking against violence.
Kurambana Hakuchaita speaks about the importance of sticking together in marriages regardless of challenges and carries the right message at a time most marriages are falling apart. Murudo Ndikakunda then caps the album with a message on the beauty of love and how it pushes people to go the extra mile.
Known for his booming voice, hard hitting and well-laden lyrics, “Rombe reZaka” as System Tazvida was fondly known in music circles, introduced a refreshing sungura sound which he called Smoko Music and it was an instant hit in farms and outlying areas of Zimbabwe before it took the entire nation by storm. His demise at the tender age of 28 in 1999 left a huge gap. System’s brother the late Peter Tazvida tried to rekindle the dying ambers of the smoko flame albeit with little success before he passed on. It is hoped that the now united legacy carriers namely Isaac and King stay on course with the new Smoko Music trajectory.
